Purchasing & Inventory Control Coordinator

We are a distributor and manufacturer of electronics products seeking an experienced Purchasing & Inventory Control Coordinator to own the full procurement and inventory lifecycle. This role is central to our supply chain operations - from sourcing and international import logistics to inventory accuracy and supplier management. The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience managing international shipments, navigating customs and freight forwarding, and keeping inventory data clean and current in a fast-moving distribution environment.

Core Focus Areas

• International Import & Export - Managing end-to-end import/export operations, including freight forwarder coordination, customs clearance, documentation compliance, and shipment tracking across multiple origins.
• Inventory Management - Maintaining accurate, real-time inventory records, leading cycle counts, and ensuring warehouse receipts are reconciled against purchase orders.
• Purchasing & Vendor Relations - Executing day-to-day purchasing for a distributor and manufacturer, building vendor relationships, and driving on-time delivery at competitive cost.

Duties & Responsibilities

International Logistics & Shipment Tracking

• Manage all aspects of international import and export operations, serving as the primary point of contact for freight forwarders, customs brokers, and carriers
• Track all inbound and outbound international shipments from origin to delivery, proactively resolving delays, holds, or compliance issues
• Ensure accurate preparation and review of import/export documentation: commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, certificates of origin, and customs declarations
• Monitor and maintain compliance with import regulations, duties, tariffs, and trade agreements
• Maintain a rolling calendar of inbound purchase orders and expected arrival dates, communicating ETA changes to internal stakeholders in a timely manner
• Coordinate with domestic logistics partners for drayage, last-mile delivery, and warehouse receiving

Inventory Management & Control

• Maintain accurate inventory records across all SKUs in the company’s inventory management system
• Collaborate with the warehouse team to accurately receive inventory and resolve discrepancies between physical counts and system records
• Lead and coordinate monthly, quarterly, and annual inventory cycle counts
• Monitor stock levels, identify reorder points, and generate purchase orders to prevent stockouts or overstock conditions
• Track and resolve back-orders, damaged goods claims, and vendor returns

Purchasing & Vendor Management

• Analyze purchasing needs and execute procurement for all product lines in alignment with sales demand and management direction
• Issue and manage purchase orders from creation through receipt and invoice matching
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, and terms with domestic and international vendors
• Maintain accurate vendor files including order history, product data, pricing, and lead time records
• Serve as the primary liaison for domestic and international vendor relationships

Qualifications

Required Experience

• 3 years of direct experience in purchasing, inventory control, and/or import/export logistics
• Demonstrated hands-on experience managing international shipments, including freight forwarding coordination, customs clearance, and trade documentation
• Experience working within an electronics distribution, wholesale, or manufacturing environment preferred
• Proficiency in QuickBooks and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook)
• Strong working knowledge of purchase order workflows, inventory reconciliation, and AP processes

Optional / Preferred Software Experience

• Inventory & Order Management Software — prior experience with any dedicated inventory and order management platform is a strong plus; ability to learn new systems quickly is essential
• Shipping & Carrier Management Software — familiarity with managing shipments, labels, and carrier integrations through any shipping platform (e.g., web-based multi-carrier tools)
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to new software platforms by applying core concepts of purchasing, inventory control, and order management — specific system experience is secondary to strong foundational knowledge

Education

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain, Logistics, or a related field preferred
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience considered

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of

• International trade regulations, Incoterms, import/export documentation requirements, and customs compliance processes
• Inventory management principles including FIFO, cycle counting, and reorder point planning
• Purchasing workflows, vendor management, and procurement best practices
• Standard office practices, business correspondence, and record-keeping

Skills In

• Shipment tracking and proactive exception management across domestic and international carriers
• Data entry accuracy and database management in inventory and accounting systems
• Strong Excel skills for reporting, reconciliation, and data analysis
• Verbal and written communication with vendors, freight partners, and internal teams across multiple time zones
• Organizing, prioritizing, and managing multiple open orders and logistics activities simultaneously

Ability to

• Work independently and take ownership of the procurement and inventory function with minimal supervision
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with vendors, logistics partners, warehouse staff, and management
• Identify problems proactively and escalate or resolve issues before they impact operations
• Adapt quickly to changing priorities in a fast-paced distribution and manufacturing environment
• Maintain a high standard of accuracy and attention to detail across all documentation and data entry